“Through Their Eyes”:
Recovering Hope
By Penny Jones Square
One wonders where hope can be found after the massacre of October 7, 2023, during which Hamas terrorists slaughtered over 1200 innocent Israelis and abducted over 250 more to be held in captivity in horrific conditions in underground tunnels in Gaza. The horror of the atrocities committed defies comprehension. The ghastly spectacle of the terrorists (cynically recorded on their own GoPro cameras) as they gleefully murdered, tortured, mutilated, burned alive, and beheaded their victims represents “a total derailment of civilization,”1 a complete collapse of the meaning of humanity. But more dispiriting and confounding yet is the unprecedented surge of antisemitism and anti-Israel hatred that followed less than a day later, before Israel had even responded. Indeed, where can hope be found when the barbarism and bloodlust of October 7 are now all but forgotten by the international community, which clamors for a ceasefire that only ensures a win for Hamas and more October 7’s?
A measure of hope may be found in the potential of new technologies, such as augmented and virtual technologies (AR and VR) to provide opportunities for immersive experiences in another’s suffering. Naor Daniel Zioni’s VR exhibition “Through Their Eyes” is a unique, powerful, and deeply affective VR experience created to achieve this sensitizing essential to understanding the terrible truth of the October 7 massacre. Naori describes his exhibition as a “VR and 360-degree journey designed to immerse viewers in the harrowing stories of survivors of the terrorist attack on October 7, 2023.” He intends his exhibition to “help viewers connect on a personal level, fostering empathy and understanding by highlighting the resilience and bravery of everyday” Israelis. Once viewers “step into the lives of survivors, experiencing their stories as if they were there,” sharing in their pain, fear, and suffering, they become first-hand witnesses to the trauma they experienced but also to their remarkable courage.
Zioni’s project utilizes VR technology “to present authentic testimonials, blending audio, visual, and interactive elements to create a deeply engaging and realistic narrative.” Viewers see real survivors and hear them tell their stories, using AI software—dubbing tools that maintain the speaker’s voice and style. The speakers are surrounded by 360-degree 3-D photographs showing the exact locations the survivors were in when attacked, and 3-D illustrations of details from their stories are embedded in the background photographs.
The four stories told are extraordinary examples of the strength, resilience, and courage so characteristic of the Israelis. The stories of Yasmin and Sa’ar Margolis, Rami Davidian, the Marom family, and the Politi family are astounding and inspirational. Yasmin protected their two young daughters while Sa’ar fought to defend their community in Kissufin. Sa’ar’s heroic actions not only saved his family but likely spared hundreds of others. The story of Rami Davidian’s miraculous saving of 750 people in 48 hours by rescuing them from the massacre area at the Nova Music festival is an astonishing example of bravery. The Politi family also showed immense courage and resilience as they faced the harrowing experience of living through the attack on their city Sderot, enduring the destruction occurring around them. And the Marom family in Kibbutz Re’em suffered the horror of having their house set on fire while they were inside. Remarkably, they were able to escape and were rescued by military and police forces.
“Through Their Eyes” was “designed to be presented in museums, featured in street exhibitions, and shared through digital media tours,” and it is certainly deserving of being exposed in this way to as wide an audience as possible. For as Elie Wiesel told one of his students, “Anyone who listens to a witness . . . becomes a witness” and has the responsibility to bear witness.2 Viewers of “Through Their Eyes” become witnesses to the truth of the four survivors and become responsible for bearing witness with and for them. Thus, some hope can be recovered from the unspeakable suffering endured in the October 7 massacre.
“Through Their Eyes” was hosted by Winnipeg Friends of Israel and Bridges for Peace. It was held on September 16, 2023 on the Asper campus and was guided by creator Naor Daniel Zioni. Zioni, with his company Atlantis-VR, collaborated with the Ministry of Diaspora and Combatting Antisemitism and the Israeli Digital Centre to create an experience that would be “impactful and accessible, blending factual information with personal testimonials to allow viewers to draw their own conclusions and connect deeply with the truth of what they observe.” Their mission was definitely achieved.
- Herta Muller, “Open Letter,”
- “Bearing Witness: Elie Wiesel and Night”
Quotations from “Through Their Eyes,” https://www.atlantisvr.com/throughtheireyes
- See the link to Naor Daniel Zioni’s website at www.atlantis-vr.com
